Have you ever stopped to consider the people who have impacted your life in a positive way? Most of us can identify at least one or two people who have truly made a difference in our lives through their example, instruction or simply their friendship. God did not design us to go through this life alone. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (NIV). No one better understood this dynamic than Jesus when he made himself a servant and walked in a very intentional relationship with a few men. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” The result was a world radically changed. You too can change your world by following the example of Jesus and taking steps to intentionally walk in a mentoring relationship with a few other men. We all have something to give that will make a difference in others’ lives.

Here are a few things we can learn from the example set by Jesus in mentoring others:

Mentoring is easy…it can be done anytime and anywhere.Mark 16:15 (NCV) “Jesus said to his followers, ‘Go everywhere in the world, and tell the good news.’”

Mentoring is relational…it can be centered around your existing relationships, your passions and your profession.1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT) “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”

Mentoring is effective…life change happens in the context of relationships!Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

As you can see, Jesus always demonstrated the simplicity of the gospel. He extended an invitation to a few men to come and walk with Him and in doing so demonstrated what relationship with the Father looked like. He took those who responded—who wanted to walk with Him—and became very intentional about pouring into their lives. You already have some people in your life who want to walk with you. We simply want to give you some tools to make it easy to pour into them in ways that will change both their lives and yours.

In a “Man to Man” Small Group, you will have the opportunity to identify three or four men in your sphere of influence, invite them to walk together with you for a semester, and become one of those people they think of when someone asks, “Have you ever stopped to consider the people who have impacted your life in a positive way?”